Symmetry management in multiprocessor systems

ABSTRACT

A set of processors in a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) system are deconfigured following a first failed processor to return the SMP system to a symmetric state. One or more deconfiguration options are identified, and a respective cost is calculated for each deconfiguration option. A deconfiguration option is selected and applied to the SMP system based on the respective costs of the one or more identified deconfiguration options.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to computer architecture, and morespecifically, to maintaining symmetry amongst a plurality of processorsin a multi-node system.

One aspect of computer architecture in multiprocessor systems involvesprocessor configuration. Some examples of processor configuration aresymmetric multiprocessor architectures (SMP) and non-uniform memoryaccess (NUMA) multiprocessor architectures. In SMP and NUMA systems, thesymmetric nature of the processor configuration is beneficial to systemperformance.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure can include a method comprisingidentifying a first failed processor, where the first failed processoris a component of a symmetric multiprocessor system and is associatedwith a set of horizontally corresponding processors and a set ofvertically corresponding processors. Further aspects of the presentdisclosure can include calculating a horizontal cost of deconfiguringthe first failed processor and the set of horizontally correspondingprocessors and calculating a vertical cost of deconfiguring the firstfailed processor and the set of vertically corresponding processors.Further aspects of the present disclosure can include determining afirst deconfiguration based on the horizontal cost and the vertical costand deconfiguring a set of processors associated with the firstdeconfiguration.

Aspects of the present disclosure can further include a systemcomprising a symmetric multiprocessor architecture having a plurality ofnodes, where each node comprises a plurality of processors. The systemcan further include an interface configured to present a user withinformation and receive user inputs. The system can further include acontrol unit operably coupled to the symmetric multiprocessorarchitecture and the interface. The control unit can comprise a memoryand a processor configured to identify a first failed processor of thesymmetric multiprocessor architecture. The processor of the control unitcan be further configured to identify one or more sets ofdeconfigurations which return the symmetric multiprocessor architectureto a symmetric state. The processor of the control unit can be furtherconfigured to calculate a first set of respective costs for eachrespective set of deconfigurations and select one of the one or moresets of deconfigurations based on the respective costs for each set ofdeconfigurations. The processor of the control unit can be furtherconfigured to deconfigure a set of processors associated with theselected deconfiguration.

Aspects of the present disclosure can further include a computer programproduct for managing symmetry in a symmetric multiprocessor system. Thecomputer program product can comprise a computer readable storage mediumhaving program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructionscan be executed by a processor and can cause the processor to determinea plurality of deconfiguration options which can cause the symmetricmultiprocessor architecture to return to a symmetric state. The programinstructions can further cause the processor to determine a respectivecost for each respective deconfiguration option and output a respectiveset of costs associated with the plurality of deconfiguration options.The program instructions can further cause the processor to select afirst deconfiguration option and apply the first deconfiguration optionto the symmetric multiprocessor system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included in the present application are incorporated into,and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of thepresent disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative ofcertain embodiments and do not limit the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a symmetric multiprocessorarchitecture in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a symmetry management node of a symmetricmultiprocessor architecture in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method to deconfigure a symmetricmultiprocessor architecture following a first error on a first processoraccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart for a method to deconfigure a symmetricmultiprocessor architecture following a second error on a secondprocessor according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart for a method to calculate the lostresources associated with a given set of deconfigurations according tosome embodiments of the present disclosure.

While the present disclosure is amenable to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of examplein the drawings and will be described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the intention is not to limit the presentdisclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to processor configuration inmultiprocessing systems. More particular aspects relate todeconfiguration of failed processors in symmetric multiprocessingsystems. Although not limited to such applications, an understanding ofsome embodiments of the present disclosure may be improved given thecontext of symmetry management in symmetric multiprocessor (SMP)systems.

One type of symmetric multiprocessing system is non-uniform memoryaccess (NUMA) systems. In NUMA systems, memory access time is a functionof memory location relative to the processor. Thus, NUMA systems canprovide expeditious computing in cases where specific data is correlatedwith certain tasks, and, thus, certain processes can be associated withdedicated processors and storage.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to deconfiguration offailed processors. A failed processor associated with a symmetricarchitecture (e.g., a SMP or a NUMA architecture) can cause the systemto be asymmetric. Asymmetries in a symmetric architecture are associatedwith degraded performance. Thus, it can be beneficial to modify one ormore processors to return the architecture to a symmetric state. In somecases, the architecture can be modified by deconfiguring a set ofprocessors associated with the failed processor. In some instances,there are numerous deconfiguration options which will return the systemarchitecture to a symmetric state. In cases having multipledeconfiguration options, a user or program can determine whichdeconfiguration option to apply. Since each processor can be associatedwith a set of unique resources (e.g., memory, expansion cards, etc.),the various deconfiguration options can be associated with differentamounts and types of lost resources. In accordance with some embodimentsof the present disclosure, the failed processors can be deconfigured ina manner which minimizes the lost resources associated with thedeconfigured processors. Thus, some embodiments of the presentdisclosure determine a resource-effective deconfiguration protocol for agiven processor failure.

In some embodiments, a resource-effective deconfiguration protocol canbe determined in the event of a second processor failure. Thedeconfiguration protocol of the second processor failure can modify afirst deconfiguration protocol. That is to say, the firstdeconfiguration protocol for the first failed processor can be undone(reconfigured) and a new deconfiguration protocol can be applied to boththe first failed processor and the second failed processor to return thesymmetric multiprocessor system to a symmetric state. Thus, aspects ofthe present disclosure can identify and apply beneficial deconfigurationprotocols in the case of multiple processor failures.

Advantageously, aspects of the present disclosure can reduce lostresources in the event of a failed processor in a symmetricmultiprocessing architecture. Aspects of the present disclosure canreduce lost resources by determining a deconfiguration which returns theprocessor configuration to a symmetric state while minimizing (relativeto alternative deconfiguration options) lost resources such as, forexample, memory. Aspects of the present disclosure can select a set ofdeconfigurations which further reduces losses associated with expansioncards, compatibility issues, and memory affinity issues. Someembodiments of the present disclosure further advantageously allow thefirst deconfiguration of a first failed processor to be changed in lightof a second failed processor. Thus, some advantages of the presentdisclosure relate to reduced resource losses associated withdeconfigurations, and further, to dynamic deconfigurations which canmodify previous deconfigurations given the location of, and resourcesassociated with, additional failed processors following the first failedprocessor.

It is understood that the advantages described herein are examples ofadvantages and not every advantage is listed. Furthermore, someembodiments of the present disclosure can exhibit all, some, or none ofthe advantages listed herein while remaining within the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, the term “deconfigure” and“deconfiguration” shall refer to the removal (either physical orvirtual) of a component from the symmetric multiprocessor system.Conversely, the term “reconfigure” and “reconfiguration” shall beconstrued to mean the undoing of a “deconfiguration” or the returning ofa component to an operational state within the symmetric multiprocessorsystem. Thus, a processor which is deconfigured will be, in whole or inpart, functionally de-coupled from the computer architecture. In such anexample, the deconfigured processor may, in some embodiments, retaincommunication with one or more components of the computer architecture,but the processor will be unable to conduct normal processes associatedwith said processor. The same processor, if reconfigured, shall beoperably re-coupled to the computer architecture and function normally.Furthermore, although the present disclosure discusses a first processorfailure and a second processor failure, the present disclosure isapplicable to any number of processor failures.

With reference now to FIG. 1, illustrated is a block diagram of asymmetric multiprocessor architecture in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure. Although applicable to anysymmetric multiprocessor system, FIG. 1 will be described with referenceto a NUMA architecture in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The NUMA architecture 100 can comprise one or morenodes such as node A 110, node B 120, and node C 130. Each node cancomprise one or more processors 102 (i.e., 112-118, 122-128, 132-138).For the purposes of the present disclosure, processor 102 refers to ageneric processor while the individual processors 112-118, 122-128, and132-138 are detailed to describe the relationships between processors.Each processor 102 can contain a plurality of elements 104. The elementscan comprise cores, memories (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM),static random access memory (SRAM), Flash, individual caches, and/orshared caches), interfaces (e.g., network, I/O, and expansion cardinterfaces), among other elements which can be useful to amultiprocessor architecture. Thus, although FIG. 1 depicts the elements104 being contained within the processor 102, the elements 104 can alsobe adjacent to or otherwise connected with, a respective processor 102or shared amongst a plurality of processors in a given node. Forexample, processors 112-118 of node A 110 can, in some embodiments,share memory, storage, interface connections, and so on.

In some embodiments, the processors of each respective node arecommunicatively coupled by inter-nodal connections 106. The inter-nodalconnections 106 are shown for exemplary purposes and processors sharinga node in a computer architecture can be communicatively coupled to oneanother in similar or dissimilar ways.

In some embodiments, the respective processors of each node arecommunicatively coupled to one another via intra-nodal connections 108(dashed emboldened lines). The connections 108 can comprise a physicalconnection while in alternative embodiments the connections 108 can bevirtual connections. In either case, connections 108 can provide acommunication link between respective vertical processors (e.g., 112,122, and 132). Connections 108 between 112, 122, and 132 are shown as anexemplary set of connections. This exemplary set of connections canoccur for the other vertically associated processors (e.g., 116, 126,and 136). In some cases, the connections 108 can occur in orientationsother than the orientations shown and described.

The NUMA architecture can further comprise a symmetry management node150 which is communicatively coupled to nodes of the NUMA architecture.The symmetry management node 150 can be coupled to the nodes 110, 120,and 130 via a physical or virtual communication medium. In someembodiments, the symmetry management node 150 is discrete from the NUMAarchitecture while in alternative embodiments the symmetry managementnode 150 is a designated node of the NUMA architecture, and, thus, canbe capable of executing computational tasks associated with the NUMAarchitecture as well as administrative tasks associated with symmetrymanagement of the NUMA architecture.

Thus, FIG. 1 illustrates aspects of a NUMA architecture (or, moregenerally, a SMP system) in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Namely, a NUMA architecture contains a plurality ofnodes (e.g., 110, 120, and 130). Each node contains a plurality ofprocessors 102. Each processor can be connected to the other processorsin the NUMA architecture 100 via inter-nodal connections 106 andintra-nodal connections 108. The processors can be grouped horizontallyor vertically. For the purposes of the present disclosure, horizontallygrouped processors are grouped according to node (e.g., node A 110, nodeB 120, and node C 130) and vertically grouped processors are grouped bycorresponding locations within each node (e.g., the common last digit“2” indicates the vertical association between processors 112, 122, and132). The NUMA architecture can contain a symmetry management node 150which can manage aspects of the NUMA architecture as further describedhereinafter with respect to FIG. 2-5.

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated is a symmetry management node of asymmetric multiprocessor architecture according to some embodiments ofthe present disclosure. The symmetry management node 150 of FIG. 2 canbe the same or substantially the same as symmetry management node 150 ofFIG. 1. In some embodiments, the symmetry management node 150 is not astandalone device (as shown with respect to FIG. 1) but rather is a nodeof the symmetric multiprocessor architecture which is designated as asymmetry management node. Thus, in various embodiments, the symmetrymanagement node 150 can be the same or substantially the same as one ofthe nodes 110, 120, or 130 as shown and described with respect toFIG. 1. In such embodiments, the components of the symmetry managementnode 150 (e.g., items 205-234 of FIG. 2) can be the same orsubstantially the same as the elements 104 of FIG. 1. Although FIG. 2 isapplicable to a symmetry management node of any symmetric multiprocessorsystem, FIG. 2 will be described with respect to a symmetry managementnode of a NUMA architecture in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

In various embodiments, the symmetry management node 150 includes amemory 225, storage 230, an interconnect (e.g., BUS) 220, one or moreprocessors (e.g., CPUs) 205, an I/O device interface 210, I/O devices212, and a network interface 215.

Each CPU 205 retrieves and executes programming instructions stored inthe memory 225 or storage 230. In some embodiments, each CPU 205 canexecute methods as shown and described in FIG. 3-5 (describedhereinafter). The interconnect 220 is used to move data, such asprogramming instructions, between the CPU 205, I/O device interface 210,storage 230, network interface 215, and memory 225. The interconnect 220can be implemented using one or more busses. The CPUs 205 can be asingle CPU, multiple CPUs, or a single CPU having multiple processingcores in various embodiments. In some embodiments, a processor 205 canbe a digital signal processor (DSP). Memory 225 is generally included tobe representative of a random access memory (e.g., static random accessmemory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or Flash). Thestorage 230 is generally included to be representative of a non-volatilememory, such as a hard disk drive, solid state device (SSD), removablememory cards, optical storage, or flash memory devices. In analternative embodiment, the storage 230 can be replaced by storagearea-network (SAN) devices, the cloud, or other devices connected to thesymmetry management node 150 via the I/O device interface 210 or acommunication network 250 via the network interface 215. In someembodiments, the memory 225, the storage 230, both memory 225 andstorage 230, or portions thereof can comprise cache memory. Cache memorycan be associated with individual processors 205 and/or shared amongst aplurality of processors 205 in various embodiments.

The network 250 can be implemented by any number of any suitablecommunications media (e.g., wide area network (WAN), local area network(LAN), Internet, Intranet, etc.). In certain embodiments, the network250 can be implemented within a cloud computing environment or using oneor more cloud computing services. In some embodiments, the networkinterface 215 communicates with both physical and virtual networks. Forexample, the inter-nodal connections 106 of FIG. 1 can be physical whilethe intra-nodal connections 108 of FIG. 1 can be virtual in someembodiments. Similarly, in various embodiments, the symmetry managementnode 150 can communicate with a symmetric multiprocessor architecture100 of FIG. 1 via a virtual network while the symmetric multiprocessorarchitecture 100 communicates with itself via a physical network ofinter-nodal connections 106 and intra-nodal connections 108.

The symmetry management node 150 and the I/O Devices 212 can be local toeach other, and communicate via any appropriate local communicationmedium (e.g., local area network (LAN), hardwire, wireless link,Intranet, etc.) or they can be physically separated and communicate overa virtual network. In some embodiments, the I/O devices 212 can includea display unit capable of presenting information to a user and receivingone or more inputs from a user.

In some embodiments, the memory 225 stores architecture managementinstructions 228 and the storage 230 stores node data 234. However, invarious embodiments, the architecture management instructions 228 andthe node data 234 are stored partially in memory 225 and partially instorage 230, or they are stored entirely in memory 225 or entirely instorage 230, or they are accessed over a network 250 via the networkinterface 215.

The architecture management instructions 228 (also referred to herein asinstructions 228) can store processor executable instructions forvarious methods such as the methods shown and described with respect toFIG. 3-5 (described hereinafter). In some embodiments, the storage 230can contain node data 234. Node data 234 can include, but is not limitedto, information regarding the location of each respective node in amultiprocessor architecture. In some embodiments, the node data 234 canfurther include information regarding the resources which are associatedwith each respective node of the multiprocessor architecture.

Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated is a flowchart of a method todeconfigure a symmetric multiprocessor architecture following a firsterror on a first processor. In various embodiments, the method 300 canbe executed by one or more CPUs (e.g., CPUs 205 of FIG. 2) executing aset of instructions (e.g., instructions 228 of FIG. 2). Although themethod 300 can be implemented on any symmetric multiprocessorarchitecture, the method 300 will be described below with reference to aNUMA architecture in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

The method 300 can start with operation 310 in which an error isidentified on a first processor of a NUMA architecture (e.g., system 100of FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the error is an unrecoverable error andthe failed processor can be isolated. In operation 320, the failedprocessor is deconfigured from the NUMA architecture. The deconfiguringof the failed processor from the architecture places the architecture inan asymmetric state. To retain symmetry within the NUMA architecture,either the processors which are horizontally associated with the failedprocessor or the processors which are vertically associated with thefailed processor can be deconfigured. As an example, consider processor112 of FIG. 1. If processor 112 fails and is deconfigured, then eitherthe horizontally associated processors (i.e., 114 and 118 of FIG. 1) orthe vertically associated processors (i.e., 122 and 132 of FIG. 1) mustbe deconfigured to return the NUMA architecture to a symmetric state.

In operation 330, the change in resources associated with deconfiguringthe horizontally associated processors can be calculated. In operation332, the change in resources associated with deconfiguring thevertically associated processors can be calculated. As shown, operations330 and 332 can occur in parallel. In some embodiments, operations 330and 332 can also occur sequentially. The change in resources can be afunction of, but is not limited to, changes in memory, changes inexpansion cards, incompatibilities resulting from thedeconfiguration(s), and memory affinity issues which could result fromthe deconfiguration(s). The calculations of operations 330 and 332 aredescribed in further detail hereinafter with respect to FIG. 5.

In operation 340, a set of deconfigurations is selected based onoperations 330 and 332. The selected set of deconfigurations may reduce(relative to alternative sets of deconfigurations) lost resources and/orincompatibilities while returning the NUMA architecture to a symmetricstate. In various embodiments, operation 340 can compare a single scoregenerated by each of operations 330 and 332. In alternative embodiments,operation 340 can compare a plurality of scores generated by each ofoperations 330 and 332 (e.g., a score regarding memory lost, a scoreregarding incompatibilities, a score regarding memory affinity issues,etc.). Thus, in embodiments where a plurality of scores are compared,the various scores can be given weights based on relative importance asdetermined by the user. In some embodiments, the scores can compriselexical outputs in addition to, or in lieu of, numerical outputs.Lexical outputs can comprise outputs such as, but not limited to“incompatible,” “no compatibility issues,” and so on. In variousembodiments, the output of each of operations 330 and 332 can becollectively referred to as a cost or a set of costs.

In some embodiments, the determination occurring in operation 340 can beautomatically made, without user input, based on pre-existinginstructions (e.g., instructions 228 of FIG. 2) while in alternativeembodiments, the determination in operation 340 is based on user input.For example, in embodiments when operation 340 is based on user input, aplurality of deconfiguration options can be output to an interface andthe determination at operation 340 is based on user input selecting oneof the deconfiguration options received via the interface. The interfacecan be the same or substantially the same as the I/O devices 212 of FIG.2.

In operation 350, the selected deconfiguration is applied to the NUMAarchitecture. Operation 350 comprises, in various embodiments, a manualor automatic change made to the NUMA architecture to return the NUMAarchitecture to a symmetric state. The change can be automaticallyexecuted without user input by one or more processors (e.g., processors205 of FIG. 2) or it can be executed in response to user input received,for example, via a user interface (e.g., I/O device 212 of FIG. 2).

Thus, as shown and described with respect to FIG. 3, various aspects ofthe present disclosure provide a set of deconfigurations to return aNUMA architecture to a state of symmetry. The set of deconfigurationscan decrease resource losses and/or compatibility issues compared toalternative sets of deconfigurations in various embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrated is a flowchart for a method todeconfigure a symmetric multiprocessor architecture following a secondprocessor failure. Aspects of the method 400 can be implemented by aprocessor (e.g., CPUs 205 of FIG. 2) executing a set of instructions(e.g., architecture management instructions 228 of FIG. 2). Although themethod 400 is applicable to any symmetric multiprocessor architecture,the method 400 will be described with reference to a NUMA architecturein accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The method 400 can occur following a first unrecoverable error in afirst processor (e.g., following the method 300 shown and described inFIG. 3). The method 400 can begin with operation 410 in which a secondunrecoverable error causes a second processor failure. In operation 420,the second failed processor can be deconfigured from the NUMAarchitecture.

In operation 430 a set of deconfiguration options which will return theNUMA architecture to a symmetric state can be defined. Specifically, inthe example shown in FIG. 4, options 1-4 are defined in operations 432,434, 436, and 438, respectively. The options defined in operations432-438 comprise possible pairs of vertical and horizontaldeconfigurations of the first and second failed processors which canreturn the NUMA architecture to a symmetric state. Referring to thefirst and second failed processors, the combinations of horizontal andvertical deconfigurations can be: horizontal-horizontal,horizontal-vertical, vertical-horizontal, and vertical-vertical. As anexample, consider processors 112 and 114 of FIG. 1. If 112 is the firstfailed processor and 114 is the second failed processor, then thedeconfigured processors associated with the previously cited optionswould be: 112-118 (horizontal-horizontal); 112-118, 124, and 134(horizontal-vertical); 112-118, 122, and 132 (vertical-horizontal); and112-114, 122-124, and 132-134 (vertical-vertical). Thus, it can be seenthat the first option (horizontal-horizontal) deconfigures fourprocessors while the second, third, and fourth options each deconfiguresix processors. As a result, the horizontal-horizontal deconfigurationmay be the selected set of deconfigurations. However, it should be notedthat the various processors can be associated with unique sets ofresources. Thus, the selected set of deconfigurations is not necessarilythe set of deconfigurations resulting in the fewest deconfiguredprocessors.

For each set of deconfigurations 432-438, the loss in resources iscalculated (e.g., a similar operation to operation 330 and 332 of FIG.3). The loss in resources can include, but is not limited to memory,expansion cards, compatibility issues, and memory affinity issues. Thecalculations 432-438 are shown and described in greater detailhereinafter with respect to FIG. 5.

In operation 440, the selected deconfiguration is determined accordingto the results of operations 432-438. The selected deconfiguration canbe based on a single score or on a plurality of weighted scores. Theselected deconfiguration can be automatically determined without userinput or it can be determined based on user input received via aninterface. In operation 450, the selected deconfiguration determined inoperation 440 is applied to the NUMA architecture. The operation 450 cancomprise changes implemented with or without user input which arephysical, virtual, or both physical and virtual in nature to thearchitecture of the NUMA system.

Referring now to FIG. 5, illustrated is a flowchart of a method tocalculate the lost resources associated with a given set ofdeconfigurations to return a symmetric multiprocessor architecture to asymmetric state. In some embodiments, the method 500 can be implementedby one or more processors (e.g., CPUs 205 of FIG. 2) executing a set ofinstructions (e.g., architecture management instructions 228 of FIG. 2).The method 500 can be, but is not limited to being, a subroutine ofoperations 330 and 332 of FIG. 3 and/or 432, 434, 436, and 438 of FIG.4. Although the method 500 is applicable to any symmetric multiprocessorarchitecture, the method 500 will be described with reference to a NUMAarchitecture in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

The method 500 can begin by identifying a set of deconfigurations whichwould result in a NUMA architecture being returned to a state ofsymmetry in operation 510. The set of deconfigurations identified inoperation 510 can comprise a set of nodes which can be vertically orhorizontally associated with each failed processor of the one or morefailed processors.

In operation 520 the memory loss associated with the deconfiguredprocessors and/or processor cores can be calculated. The memory loss canbe associated with main memory or cache memory (e.g., temporary memoryspecific to a processor, a processor core, or shared amongst a pluralityprocessors or processor cores). The memory loss can be calculated by asummation of the associated memories, or it can comprise a weightedsummation of the associated memories. In some embodiments, the weightingis based on attributes associated with the memory such as, but notlimited to, whether the memory is volatile or non-volatile memory. Invarious embodiments, the weighting can be based on partitions associatedwith the memory or portions thereof.

In operation 530 the expansion card losses associated with thedeconfigured processors and/or processor cores can be calculated.Expansion card losses can include one or more external devices coupledto an element (e.g., a processor core, a processor, or a node) whichprovides additional capability to the element. Expansion cards can beassociated with memory, processing power, or other resources. In variousembodiments, expansion card losses can account for the number ofpartitions using the expansion card resources. In some embodiments,expansion cards can refer to, but are not limited to, infiniband,ethernet, fibre channel, accelerators (e.g., coherent acceleratorprocessor interface (CAPI)), and others.

In operation 540, incompatibility issues which may result from the setof deconfigured processors can be determined. Compatibilities, or lackthereof, can include communication issues such as impracticallyextensive or non-existent communication paths or incompatiblecommunication protocols or instruction sets. The communicativeincompatibilities can effect performance of, for example, inter-nodalconnections 106, or intra-nodal connections 108 of FIG. 1, or networkinterface 215, I/O interface 210, instructions 228, node data 234,and/or CPUs 205 of FIG. 2. Operation 540 can also identify chipsetincompatibilities or I/O device configuration compatibility issuesresulting from the proposed set of deconfigurations. In someembodiments, the incompatibilities are determined by generating ahypothetical symmetric multiprocessor system absent the processorsassociated with the proposed deconfiguration.

In operation 550 memory affinity issues can be determined. In someembodiments, memory affinity can refer to static or dynamic affiliationsbetween processes and processors, cores, or elements of a NUMAarchitecture. Specifically, memory affinity can refer to couplingprocesses to specific processors having relevant data stored therewithto increase process speed. Thus, operation 550 can, in some embodiments,indicate which processes and associated data will be lost or must bemoved as a result of the proposed set of deconfigurations.

In operation 560, a score can be generated based on the results ofoperations 520-550. The score can comprise a single score accounting forall the information from the operations 520-550. In alternativeembodiments, the score can comprise a set of individual scoresaccounting for each of the operations 520-550. It is to be understoodthat the scores generated can be, but are not limited to, numericscores. In some embodiments, the output generated by the method 500 canbe, for example, in the form of a description or a set of descriptions.Operation 560 can include, in some embodiments, outputting the score toan interface where it can be read and manipulated by a user.

Thus, the method 500 demonstrates various example resources which areaccounted for when deconfiguring a set of processors to return a NUMAarchitecture (or any SMP system) to a symmetric state in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure. These various resources canbe used, individually or in combination, to select a set ofdeconfigurations based on the functionality required by the NUMA system.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: identifying a first failedprocessor, wherein the first failed processor is a component of asymmetric multiprocessor system, wherein the first failed processor isassociated with a set of horizontally corresponding processors and a setof vertically corresponding processors in the symmetric multiprocessorsystem; calculating a horizontal cost of deconfiguring the first failedprocessor and the set of horizontally corresponding processors;calculating a vertical cost of deconfiguring the first failed processorand the set of vertically corresponding processors; wherein calculatinga respective cost selected from the group consisting of: the horizontalcost and the vertical cost comprises: identifying the first failedprocessor and a set of corresponding processors to be deconfigured;identifying a respective memory associated with each processor of theset of corresponding processors; and generating the respective costbased on each respective memory associated with each processor of theset of corresponding processors, wherein the respective cost is selectedfrom the group consisting of: numerical outputs, lexical outputs, and acombination of numerical and lexical outputs; determining a firstdeconfiguration based on the horizontal cost and the vertical cost; anddeconfiguring a set of processors associated with the firstdeconfiguration by removing functionality of the set of processorsassociated with the first deconfiguration from the symmetricmultiprocessor system.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein horizontallycorresponding processors exist on a same node and wherein verticallycorresponding processors exist in a same location in each node of thesymmetric multiprocessor system.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thesymmetric multiprocessor system comprises a non-uniform memory access(NUMA) system.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifyinga second failed processor; calculating a first cost of deconfiguring thefirst failed processor and the set of horizontally correspondingprocessors associated with the first failed processor and deconfiguringthe second failed processor and a set of horizontally correspondingprocessors associated with the second failed processor; calculating asecond cost of deconfiguring the first failed processor and the set ofhorizontally corresponding processors associated with the first failedprocessor and deconfiguring the second failed processor and a set ofvertically corresponding processors associated with the second failedprocessor; calculating a third cost of deconfiguring the first failedprocessor and the set of vertically corresponding processors associatedwith the first failed processor and deconfiguring the second failedprocessor and the set of horizontally corresponding processorsassociated with the second failed processor; calculating a fourth costof deconfiguring the first failed processor and the set of verticallycorresponding processors associated with the first failed processor anddeconfiguring the second failed processor and the set of verticallycorresponding processors associated with the second failed processor;determining a second deconfiguration based on the first cost, the secondcost, the third cost, and the fourth cost; and applying the seconddeconfiguration to the symmetric multiprocessor system.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein applying the second deconfiguration further comprises:reconfiguring the set of processors associated with the firstdeconfiguration; and deconfiguring a set of processors associated withthe second deconfiguration.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining a respective set of expansion cards which areassociated with each processor of the set of corresponding processors,wherein each respective set of expansion cards can comprise one or moreresources selected from the group consisting of: memory resources,processing resources, and communication resources.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, calculating a respective cost further comprising: determining aset of incompatibilities associated with the symmetric multiprocessorsystem absent the first failed processor and the set of correspondingprocessors, wherein the set of incompatibilities comprises functionalincompatibilities between components selected from the group consistingof: processors, nodes, expansion cards, data, and instructions, whereinthe respective cost is further based on the set of incompatibilities. 8.The method of claim 1, calculating a respective cost further comprising:determining a set of memory affinity issues, wherein the set of memoryaffinity issues comprises associations between processes and the set ofcorresponding processors wherein the respective cost is further based onthe set of memory affinity issues.
 9. A system comprising: a symmetricmultiprocessor architecture comprising a plurality of nodes, each nodecomprising a plurality of processors, wherein each processor isassociated with one or more types of memory; an interface configured topresent a user with information and receive user inputs; a control unitoperably coupled to the symmetric multiprocessor architecture and theinterface, the control unit capable of manipulating the symmetricmultiprocessor architecture, wherein the control unit comprises a memoryand a processor configured to: identify a first failed processor,wherein the first failed processor is a component of the symmetricmultiprocessor architecture; identify one or more sets ofdeconfigurations which return the symmetric multiprocessor architectureto a symmetric state; calculate a first set of respective costs for eachrespective set of deconfigurations; output to the interface one or moreoutputs selected from the group consisting of: an error indicating thefirst failed processor, the first set of costs, and the one or more setsof deconfigurations; select one of the one or more sets ofdeconfigurations based on the respective costs for each set ofdeconfigurations; and deconfigure a set of processors associated withthe selected deconfiguration by removing functionality of the set ofprocessors associated with the selected deconfiguration from thesymmetric multiprocessor architecture.
 10. The system of claim 9,wherein the processor in the control unit is configured to select one ofthe one or more sets of deconfigurations based on user input receivedvia the interface.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor inthe control unit is configured to calculate the first set of respectivecosts by: identifying the first failed processor and a set ofcorresponding processors to be deconfigured; identifying a respectivememory associated with each processor of the set of correspondingprocessors; determining a respective set of expansion cards which areassociated with each processor of the set of corresponding processors,wherein each respective set of expansion cards can comprise one or moreresources selected from the group consisting of: memory resources,processing resources, and communication resources; determining a set ofincompatibilities associated with the symmetric multiprocessorarchitecture absent the first failed processor and the set ofcorresponding processors, wherein the set of incompatibilities comprisesfunctional incompatibilities between components selected from the groupconsisting of: processors, nodes, expansion cards, data, andinstructions; determining a set of memory affinity issues, wherein theset of memory affinity issues comprises associations between processesand the set of corresponding processors; and generating the first set ofrespective costs based on the respective memories, the respective set ofexpansion cards, the set of incompatibilities, and the set of memoryaffinity issues, wherein the first set of respective costs is selectedfrom the group consisting of: numerical outputs, lexical outputs, and acombination of numerical and lexical outputs.
 12. The system of claim 9,wherein the processor in the control unit is further configured to:identify a second failed processor in the symmetric multiprocessorarchitecture; identify a second set of deconfigurations which return thesymmetric multiprocessor architecture to a symmetric state; calculate asecond set of respective costs for each respective deconfiguration ofthe second set of deconfigurations; select a second deconfiguration fromthe second set of deconfigurations based on the second set of costs;apply the selected second deconfiguration, wherein to apply the selectedsecond deconfiguration, the processor is further configured to:reconfigure the set of processors associated with the selecteddeconfiguration; and deconfigure a set of processors associated with thesecond deconfiguration.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the symmetricmultiprocessor architecture comprises a non-uniform memory access (NUMA)system.
 14. A computer program product for managing symmetry in asymmetric multiprocessor system, the computer program product comprisinga computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodiedtherewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to causethe processor to: determine, based on a first failed processor, aplurality of deconfiguration options which cause the symmetricmultiprocessor system to return to a symmetric state; determine arespective cost for each respective deconfiguration option; whereindetermining a respective cost comprises: identifying the first failedprocessor and a set of corresponding processors to be deconfigured;identifying a respective memory associated with each processor of theset of corresponding processors; and generating the respective costbased on each respective memory associated with each processor of theset of corresponding processors, wherein the respective cost is selectedfrom the group consisting of: numerical outputs, lexical outputs, and acombination of numerical and lexical outputs; output a respective set ofcosts associated with the plurality of deconfiguration options; select,based on the respective set of costs associated with the plurality ofdeconfiguration options, a first deconfiguration option; and apply thefirst deconfiguration option to the symmetric multiprocessor system byremoving functionality associated with processors associated with thefirst deconfiguration option from the symmetric multiprocessor system.15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the symmetricmultiprocessor system comprises a non-uniform memory access (NUMA)system.
 16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein theprogram instructions further cause the processor to determine arespective cost by causing the processor to: determine a respective setof expansion cards which are associated with each processor of the setof corresponding processors, wherein each respective set of expansioncards can comprise one or more resources selected from the groupconsisting of: memory resources, processing resources, and communicationresources; determine a set of incompatibilities associated with thesymmetric multiprocessor system absent the first failed processor andthe set of corresponding processors, wherein the set ofincompatibilities comprises functional incompatibilities betweencomponents selected from the group consisting of: processors, nodes,expansion cards, data, and instructions; determine a set of memoryaffinity issues, wherein the set of memory affinity issues comprisesassociations between processes and the set of corresponding processors;and wherein the respective cost is further based on the respective setof expansion cards, the set of incompatibilities, and the set of memoryaffinity issues.
 17. The computer program product of claim 14, whereinthe program instructions further cause the processor to: determine,based on a second failed processor, a second set of deconfigurationoptions which can cause the symmetric multiprocessor system to return toa symmetric state; determine a respective second cost for eachrespective second deconfiguration option; output a second set of costsassociated with the second set of deconfiguration options; select, basedon the second set of costs associated with the second set ofdeconfiguration options, a second deconfiguration option; and apply thesecond deconfiguration option to the symmetric multiprocessor system.18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the programinstructions further cause the processor to apply the seconddeconfiguration option by causing the processor to: reconfigure a set ofprocessors associated with the first deconfiguration option; anddeconfigure a set of processors associated with the seconddeconfiguration option.
 19. The system of claim 9, wherein the one ormore sets of deconfigurations which return the symmetric multiprocessorarchitecture to a symmetric state comprise at least one horizontaldeconfiguration of the first failed processor and a set of horizontallycorresponding processors, and at least one vertical deconfiguration ofthe first failed processor and a set of vertically correspondingprocessors; and wherein horizontally corresponding processors exist on asame node, and wherein vertically corresponding processors exist in asame location in each node of the symmetric multiprocessor architecture.20. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the plurality ofdeconfiguration options comprises at least one horizontaldeconfiguration option comprising processors horizontally correspondingto the first failed processor, and at least one vertical deconfigurationoption comprising processors vertically corresponding to the firstfailed processor; and wherein horizontally corresponding processorsexist on a same node, and wherein vertically corresponding processorsexist in a same location in each node of the symmetric multiprocessorsystem.